Senator Kane Joins GOP Legislators In Urging Quick Action To Reduce Budget Gap

GOP Deficit Mitigation Plan Calls For Spending Cuts – Not Tax Increases

Senator Rob Kane (R-32) recently joined fellow Republican legislators in calling for the General Assembly to significantly reduce this year’s state budget deficit by accelerating the mitigation proposals already offered by Governor M. Jodi Rell and implementing additional cost saving proposals.

“This is not the time for the legislature’s majority leadership to drag their feet. It is still possible to close this year’s budget gap without increasing taxes or completely draining the Rainy Day Fund, but only if we act now. If the legislature’s majority insists on waiting much longer, the Rainy Day Fund will be gone, more businesses will close, more jobs will be lost and it will be difficult, if not impossible, to avoid raising taxes in the next two years,” said Senator Kane, a member of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee.

The Republican plan would reduce this year’s budget deficit by $925 million by changing the effective dates of spending cuts and other mitigation measures proposed by Governor Rell from July 1, 2009 to April 1, 2009. The plan also anticipates $360 million in federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and uses approximately $280 million of the state’s $1.4 billion rainy day fund, protecting more than $1.1 billion to help stave off tax increases in the next two fiscal years.

“It is absolutely essential that we reduce the size of state government. Connecticut’s families and businesses are already doing more with less and, rightly, expect state government to do the same. So far, members of the legislature’s majority have been unwilling to join us in responsibly, and aggressively, addressing our fiscal problems. Time is running out,” said Senator Kane.

Senator Kane is encouraging constituents to share their thoughts on the Republican deficit mitigation plan, along with their own suggestions for addressing Connecticut’s fiscal problems. He can be reached at his legislative office at 860-240-8800 or via e-mail to [email protected]/gov.